On the referral of my new GP, I went to see a GI doc after she ordered an ultrasound for abdominal pain in my right upper quadrant that she thought was gallbladder related. However, the ultrasound did not show any stones - just a fatty liver due to recent, intentional weight loss. Because of the fatty liver and the fact that she could not find the cause, she wanted me to get a second opinion with a GI doc. I started seeing a specialist in May. He said that my fatty liver was most likely just coincidental because he could not feel the borders, so it was not enlarged. My liver enzymes, CBC, and other lab work came back within normal limits (including B12 and Vitamin D - though D was a little on the low side).
Anyway, the GI specialist sent me for an upper GI endoscopy to check for stomach ulcers since I was diagnosed with GERD when I was 16. He also started me on Prilosec OTC, but it was discontinued after a few days because I felt like I had a brick sitting in my stomach after I ate - it was painful. I suspect it was due to a lack of stomach acid. He also started me on Bentyl 10mg 3x a day for "unspecified abdominal pain" (according to my chart on my patient portal) and spasms/pressure/fullness in my RUQ. The Bentyl has helped, somewhat, but other symptoms are worsening. The endoscopy showed that my esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are all normal, except for some mild erythematous tissue in my upper stomach, which he biopsied for h. pylori - which was found to be negative. He also sent me for a HIDA scan - a much more comprehensive test to check for gallbladder and liver function. It was also normal with an ejection fraction of 50% after receiving the Kinevac.
After getting the results of the endoscopy and the HIDA scan, I was frustrated because I'm spending a lot of money on tests and getting nowhere with a diagnosis. When I spoke to the GI doc's nurse, she offered to get me in to see the doctor a few days early so we could discuss the next step - I was crying on the phone because I was feeling really bad (I had bad abdominal cramps and my fatigue had worsened). My boss gave me the morning off.
While sitting in the office, I was hoping that he wouldn't want a colonoscopy because I wasn't looking forward to the prep that my parents and grandparents had to do. Sure enough, he mentioned that he believed my symptoms could be bowel related and ordered a hydrogen breath test for SIBO and a colonoscopy to check for inflammation and other disorders. I just had the HBT done Friday and called the doc's office yesterday because of really bad cramping, bloating, gas, and diarrhea this whole weekend (I would rate it a 6 on the Bristol chart). I also asked if my test results were in and she said it was negative, but the doctor would review it. Imagine my frustration - another test with no answers.
The colonoscopy is scheduled in 2 weeks. Even though I'm not looking forward to it, I'm hoping it will give answers that I haven't found elsewhere. I'm really fatigued and my joints ache all the time. My GP tested me for autoimmune disorders like RA and lupus since my paternal grandmother and aunt have RA, but it was normal. My mom mentioned on Friday that she wondered if I have Crohn's disease since my symptoms sound somewhat similar to my aunt (related through marriage, not blood). It was odd because that was one of the ideas that ran through my head, but I didn't know enough about it. After reading some material through reputable sources, it does make me wonder, but it could also be diverticulitis since both my parents had it at one time. Anyway, I'll just be happy to get a diagnosis, FINALLY, and know that it's not all in my head. Not that I want IBD, but I do want someone to tell me that my symptoms are real.
Anyway, the GI specialist sent me for an upper GI endoscopy to check for stomach ulcers since I was diagnosed with GERD when I was 16. He also started me on Prilosec OTC, but it was discontinued after a few days because I felt like I had a brick sitting in my stomach after I ate - it was painful. I suspect it was due to a lack of stomach acid. He also started me on Bentyl 10mg 3x a day for "unspecified abdominal pain" (according to my chart on my patient portal) and spasms/pressure/fullness in my RUQ. The Bentyl has helped, somewhat, but other symptoms are worsening. The endoscopy showed that my esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are all normal, except for some mild erythematous tissue in my upper stomach, which he biopsied for h. pylori - which was found to be negative. He also sent me for a HIDA scan - a much more comprehensive test to check for gallbladder and liver function. It was also normal with an ejection fraction of 50% after receiving the Kinevac.
After getting the results of the endoscopy and the HIDA scan, I was frustrated because I'm spending a lot of money on tests and getting nowhere with a diagnosis. When I spoke to the GI doc's nurse, she offered to get me in to see the doctor a few days early so we could discuss the next step - I was crying on the phone because I was feeling really bad (I had bad abdominal cramps and my fatigue had worsened). My boss gave me the morning off.
While sitting in the office, I was hoping that he wouldn't want a colonoscopy because I wasn't looking forward to the prep that my parents and grandparents had to do. Sure enough, he mentioned that he believed my symptoms could be bowel related and ordered a hydrogen breath test for SIBO and a colonoscopy to check for inflammation and other disorders. I just had the HBT done Friday and called the doc's office yesterday because of really bad cramping, bloating, gas, and diarrhea this whole weekend (I would rate it a 6 on the Bristol chart). I also asked if my test results were in and she said it was negative, but the doctor would review it. Imagine my frustration - another test with no answers.
The colonoscopy is scheduled in 2 weeks. Even though I'm not looking forward to it, I'm hoping it will give answers that I haven't found elsewhere. I'm really fatigued and my joints ache all the time. My GP tested me for autoimmune disorders like RA and lupus since my paternal grandmother and aunt have RA, but it was normal. My mom mentioned on Friday that she wondered if I have Crohn's disease since my symptoms sound somewhat similar to my aunt (related through marriage, not blood). It was odd because that was one of the ideas that ran through my head, but I didn't know enough about it. After reading some material through reputable sources, it does make me wonder, but it could also be diverticulitis since both my parents had it at one time. Anyway, I'll just be happy to get a diagnosis, FINALLY, and know that it's not all in my head. Not that I want IBD, but I do want someone to tell me that my symptoms are real.